California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

SAN
FRANCISCO, Calif. – Fifteen major insurers reported updated
claims loss data to Insurance Commissioner
Dave Jones revealing the new total of insured losses from the state's October
wildfires now tops $3 billion—a three-fold increase in just two weeks—and
expected to climb still higher according to department officials.

"As
shocking as $3 billion in insured losses are, the number is sure to grow, as
more claims are coming," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "The insured
losses only tell part of the tragic story of the October fires. We must
remember that 43 people lost their lives and behind every insurance claim is
someone who has lost their home, their business, and their precious memories.
It will take years for these communities to recover and rebuild."

The
latest report notes the widespread destruction resulted in damaging or
destroying more than 14,700 homes, 728 businesses, and more than 3,600 private
autos, commercials vehicles, and agricultural equipment and watercraft.

Commissioner
Jones visited the wildfire zones throughout northern California and met with
residents in the local assistance centers where he heard first-hand the
harrowing stories of loss from victims who escaped with only minutes to spare.
Jones took extraordinary steps to assist wildfire victims by dispatching
detectives from the department's law enforcement team to educate residents
about how to avoid being victimized by scam artists who prey on vulnerable
residents after disasters and sending consumer services teams to every local
assistance center to personally meet with consumers and help them begin the
claims process and answer insurance-related questions. As
of October 29, the department's consumer services team assisted 1,163
individuals across the state, the majority of which were in Northern
California.

Earlier this month, Jones also
issued a notice
to insurers asking them to expedite claims, by cutting through red tape and
doing all they can do to help policyholders who are likely to have little or no
documentation that insurers normally require.

Jones also signed a declaration
of an emergency, which allows the insurers to tap out-of-state claims
adjusters from their other offices, which effectively expands their claims
adjuster workforce. When processing tens of thousands of claims, this is an
important step in increasing the claims processing capacity for insurers and
helping speed the recovery and rebuilding process.

He
also directed the licensing department to issue a notice
to all licensed public adjusters and admitted carriers to remind them of the
rules, regulations, and limitations on solicitation and compensation that
govern public adjusters' work in California. Jones also has an important
caution for wildfire victims—be careful to check the license of contractors who
solicit business—this is done quickly on the Contractors State License Board
using a smart device.

Public
adjusters are restricted from soliciting business from residents until
seven days after evacuation orders are lifted. Consumers that have any difficulty
with their insurer will find the department's consumer services team stands
ready to assist at 800-927-4357. The department has recovered more than $300
million dollars for consumers since Jones took office in 2011.

The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $310 billion in premiums annually in California. Since 2011 the California Department of Insurance received more than 1,000,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $469 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance website at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.4357. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.